Current Prices: Petrol 158.01p/L | Diesel 192.06p/L

UK fuel prices have continued to rise despite last week’s ceasefire announcement, with diesel now approaching the £2 per litre mark. Diesel climbed another 5.3p this week while petrol rose 3.4p – slower than recent weeks but still moving firmly upward.

A 50-litre tank of petrol now costs £79.01 – up £1.70 from last week. Diesel drivers are paying £96.03, an extra £2.65 in just seven days – and perilously close to the £100 barrier.

This Week’s Prices

  • Petrol (ULSP): 158.01p per litre – up 3.4p this week
  • Diesel (ULSD): 192.06p per litre – up 5.3p this week

While the rate of increase has slowed compared to the double-digit rises of recent weeks, prices are still climbing. The ceasefire has not yet translated into relief at the pumps.

Why Prices Are Still Rising

As we explained last week, fuel prices don’t respond immediately to falling oil costs. Retailers are still selling through stock purchased at peak prices, and it takes a sustained period of lower wholesale costs before meaningful reductions appear at the pumps.

The conditional nature of the ceasefire also means uncertainty remains. Until oil shipments move freely through the Strait of Hormuz and supply chains normalise, wholesale prices will remain elevated.

Seven Weeks of Crisis

Since the Middle East conflict began on February 28, prices have surged:

  • Petrol: Up 26.30p per litre (from 131.71p) – a 20% increase
  • Diesel: Up 50.60p per litre (from 141.46p) – a 36% increase

For a driver filling up weekly:

  • Petrol: £13.15 more per tank – £684 extra per year
  • Diesel: £25.30 more per tank – £1,316 extra per year

Year-on-Year: Historic Increases

The year-on-year comparison has reached unprecedented levels:

  • Petrol: Now 23.2p MORE expensive than April 2025
  • Diesel: Now 50.1p MORE expensive than April 2025

Diesel has now broken through the 50p year-on-year increase threshold – drivers are paying more than £25 extra per 50-litre tank compared to this time last year.

The Diesel Premium at Record Levels

The gap between petrol and diesel has stretched to 34.05p per litre. Diesel drivers are paying £17.03 more per 50-litre tank than petrol users.

The wholesale cost breakdown tells the story:

  • Petrol base cost (pre-tax): 78.73p
  • Diesel base cost (pre-tax): 107.10p
  • Fuel duty: 52.95p (unchanged)
  • VAT at 20%: 26.34p (petrol) / 32.01p (diesel)

Diesel’s wholesale cost remains above £1 per litre at 107.10p – up from 64.93p in mid-February, a staggering 65% increase in just eight weeks.

The Cost of Filling Up

Fuel Type Price per Litre 50L Tank Cost Change Since Feb 28 Annual Extra Cost
Petrol (ULSP) 158.01p £79.01 +£13.15 +£684
Diesel (ULSD) 192.06p £96.03 +£25.30 +£1,316

When Will Prices Start Falling?

As RAC head of policy Simon Williams explained last week: “It is a sustained lower oil price – over several weeks, not just a few days – that is required to bring wholesale fuel costs down meaningfully.”

The slowing rate of increase this week is a cautious positive sign – but prices are still going up, not down. Drivers should expect:

  • Coming days: Prices may stabilise or continue rising slowly
  • Coming weeks: If the ceasefire holds and oil remains lower, prices may begin to edge down
  • Coming months: Sustained lower oil prices could see meaningful reductions

Some smaller independent forecourts buying on a ‘spot’ basis may pass on reductions sooner than larger chains.

What Drivers Should Do

Shop around more than ever – Price differences between stations have widened significantly. Check CheckFuelPrices before every fill-up – savings of £15-20 per tank are possible.

Watch for early price cuts – Independent forecourts may reduce prices before supermarkets and major brands. Regular price checking helps you spot the deals first.

Drive efficiently – The AA estimates diesel drivers can save up to £10 per tank by reducing speed by 10% and driving smoothly.

Cut non-essential journeys – At nearly £100 per diesel tank, every unnecessary trip is expensive.

Looking Ahead

The conditional ceasefire offers hope, but uncertainty remains. Much depends on:

  • Whether the ceasefire holds beyond the initial two-week period
  • How quickly oil shipments normalise through the Strait of Hormuz
  • The longer-term impact on Gulf oil production
  • How quickly retailers pass on any wholesale savings

We’ll continue tracking prices daily. As soon as meaningful reductions appear at the pumps, we’ll report it.

Find the Cheapest Fuel Near You

At these record prices, shopping around is essential. Use CheckFuelPrices to compare prices at stations near you. Our data comes directly from the government’s Fuel Finder Scheme, updated within 30 minutes of any price change.